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1. Which of the possible venues do you think would best suit the play? Circle the one you choose and explain why you think it would work best.
Proscenium
The way the play’s dramatic action progresses it is apparent that it is to be seen frontally. The attention of the spectators should shift from location outside and within rooms of three separate cottages and the space in front of them might easily be used for many of the scenes which are “public”. Also, the relationship between the two chief characters was meant to be unseen by others because it was illegal. When they are alone in their room in the cottage which is at the center of the stage you get the needed isolation with the ring and cake scene. It would be far harder to bring about that isolation if the performance space were in an arena arrangement, a little less so if it were set in a thrust. For a very small scale production in a flexible space you might get the privacy desired but then fewer people might be able to see the production.
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the scene designer?
Designing spaces that meet the goal of the playwright is a big challenge. It appears that we are to see events both inside and outside three separate dwellings. The cost in lumber and visual details that would meet that need are high. This is an expensive production requiring many hours of labor from the building crew and some clever manipulation of details by the designer. The Oberlin College production gives you some idea of the scale of this effort. Their results are impressive.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character.
Julia is the character I would focus on because she is such a central figure in the show. Unless vintage dresses may be found they would have to be built. And she has a change of costume during the show and there is a change in time of day as well. Given that the character sews her own clothing it could be the most refined and flattering we see onstage. This would legislate that the performer who could carry off such clothing would have to be carefully cast. I see her dressed in a period gown that is pastel yellow or cream to emphasize her initial delicacy but as we go thru the play she picks up added strength and power and the clothing might need to show that she is a far stronger person than she initially appears to be. Perhaps deepening the colors of her dress and or changing colors to something stronger, like wine or purple may help give her the power she needs to exude. Her dress could also darker as the show darkens because of Herman’s illness.
4. Provide ideas about the use of light in the play.
There are morning, afternoon and evening scenes in the show suggesting that there would be lighting changes to suggest different types of light sources. Having interior light sources different from outside (sunlight) should help to provide a suggestion of the reality of the events taking place. As Herman gets worse and nears death the lights should be more dramatic, with shadows and suggestions of the intensity of the drama. And the lights should narrow to focus on Julia and Herman, not the mother and daughter. This dimming of lights suggests both the reality of the events and theatricality that is built into the play. It’s hard to provide lighting ideas because I can’t always provide pictures to support my ideas. Perhaps I should submit a powerpoint that lays out ideas for you.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to suggest the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play.
I would engage a person to help me pick out music. I think there is ample place for “period” music to suggest both the mood of different acts and events, and the “reality” of the band playing in the distance as the troops march in the parade. You might even provide some cricket and bird sounds to show day and night and perhaps even a dog bark occasionally, or a cat fight. It is essential that you create a sense of period and environment that the play demands.
When completing your worksheet, please type or write your name here:
1. Which of the possible venues do you think would best suit the play? Circle the one you choose and explain why you think it would work best.
Proscenium
The way the play’s dramatic action progresses it is apparent that it is to be seen frontally. The attention of the spectators should shift from location outside and within rooms of three separate cottages and the space in front of them might easily be used for many of the scenes which are “public”. Also, the relationship between the two chief characters was meant to be unseen by others because it was illegal. When they are alone in their room in the cottage which is at the center of the stage you get the needed isolation with the ring and cake scene. It would be far harder to bring about that isolation if the performance space were in an arena arrangement, a little less so if it were set in a thrust. For a very small scale production in a flexible space you might get the privacy desired but then fewer people might be able to see the production.
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the scene designer?
Designing spaces that meet the goal of the playwright is a big challenge. It appears that we are to see events both inside and outside three separate dwellings. The cost in lumber and visual details that would meet that need are high. This is an expensive production requiring many hours of labor from the building crew and some clever manipulation of details by the designer. The Oberlin College production gives you some idea of the scale of this effort. Their results are impressive.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character.
Julia is the character I would focus on because she is such a central figure in the show. Unless vintage dresses may be found they would have to be built. And she has a change of costume during the show and there is a change in time of day as well. Given that the character sews her own clothing it could be the most refined and flattering we see onstage. This would legislate that the performer who could carry off such clothing would have to be carefully cast. I see her dressed in a period gown that is pastel yellow or cream to emphasize her initial delicacy but as we go thru the play she picks up added strength and power and the clothing might need to show that she is a far stronger person than she initially appears to be. Perhaps deepening the colors of her dress and or changing colors to something stronger, like wine or purple may help give her the power she needs to exude. Her dress could also darker as the show darkens because of Herman’s illness.
4. Provide ideas about the use of light in the play.
There are morning, afternoon and evening scenes in the show suggesting that there would be lighting changes to suggest different types of light sources. Having interior light sources different from outside (sunlight) should help to provide a suggestion of the reality of the events taking place. As Herman gets worse and nears death the lights should be more dramatic, with shadows and suggestions of the intensity of the drama. And the lights should narrow to focus on Julia and Herman, not the mother and daughter. This dimming of lights suggests both the reality of the events and theatricality that is built into the play. It’s hard to provide lighting ideas because I can’t always provide pictures to support my ideas. Perhaps I should submit a powerpoint that lays out ideas for you.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to suggest the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play.
I would engage a person to help me pick out music. I think there is ample place for “period” music to suggest both the mood of different acts and events, and the “reality” of the band playing in the distance as the troops march in the parade. You might even provide some cricket and bird sounds to show day and night and perhaps even a dog bark occasionally, or a cat fight. It is essential that you create a sense of period and environment that the play demands.